Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sean Azari, founder of Rebhorn, located in West New York, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Rebhorn is my eCommerce brand, where I sell my art designs printed on Canvases, Apparel, Phone Cases, Towels, and other accessories. I have a distinctive style that people have started recognizing, and it's mainly a mix of Pop & Street graffiti designs. The brand slogan is Art For Your Alter Ego, which depicts the idea that everyone has an alter ego. Whenever we look at a piece of art, each one of us has a different interpretation which can stem from our alter ego.
My customers are mixed between male and female & geared towards modern-day culture. They are also open to new and innovative ideas, seeking to express their individuality through unique and personalized art and accessories. The age group ranges from 22-45 years of age, who share a passion for pop and street-style art.
Tell us about yourself
In 2019, I discovered my passion for creating wall art that reflects my unique personality. After designing my first two pieces, which were inspired by my trip to Miami Art Basel, my friends were impressed and encouraged me to pursue my creativity further.
With this inspiration in mind, I founded Rebhorn, a brand that represents my alter ego. Before Rebhorn, I worked primarily as a marketer, helping numerous brands create effective content and strategies that boosted their visibility and sales.
To ensure my new brand had a clear identity, I incorporated my Persian name, Ardeshir Azari, as my artist name, which can be found on every canvas. This name represents my alter ego, embodying the qualities that make me unique.
Throughout Rebhorn's journey, I've launched several campaigns that showcase my true personality, such as donning an Afro-wig to highlight my fun, energetic, and carefree nature. I'm passionate about creating unique and inspiring art that resonates with individuals on a personal level, and I look forward to continuing to develop my craft with Rebhorn.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am proud to say that I have successfully bootstrapped my business from the ground up. While I firmly believe in delegating tasks to others, there were times when money was tight, and I had to take on multiple roles simultaneously to build a thriving eCommerce business.
As a result, I became a website developer, marketer, artist, copywriter, and more, all in the name of ensuring my business's success. While it was challenging to wear so many hats, it allowed me to gain invaluable experience in multiple areas of the business, giving me a more comprehensive understanding of how it operates.
By bootstrapping my business, I was able to prove to myself and others that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn, it is possible to build a successful enterprise without relying on external funding. It has been a challenging but rewarding journey, and I look forward to continuing to grow my business and helping others do the same.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a business owner, one of the most challenging aspects is that you bear the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of your enterprise. This means that every decision you make regarding the use of your own money must be carefully weighed and considered. Even small missteps can have significant consequences for your business's financial health.
In addition, unlike established businesses, there is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for entrepreneurs. You must create your own path, which requires making difficult decisions about how to allocate your resources. For example, deciding whether to invest $5,000 into hiring an employee who may help grow your business or allocate it to advertising can be a challenging and risky decision. If the employee fails to generate the expected returns, it can create financial strains that may hinder your business's growth.
In summary, being a business owner means that you must take calculated risks and make difficult decisions that can have a significant impact on your enterprise's future. It requires discipline, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Three tips I recommend for someone looking to start a business would be:
- Build an audience before launching your product by creating content that meets their needs. Focus on a channel where your audience is most active and engaged. By continuously providing value and engaging with your audience, your content is likely to be shared and recognized, leading to an increased following.
- Before investing too much time and money into your product, sample it with a group of people who share similar interests as your target customers. This can include friends, family, and strangers. By gathering feedback from this group, you can make improvements and adjustments to ensure that your product aligns with the needs and preferences of your customers.
- Be passionate about your product and become its best salesperson. Starting a business requires hard work and dedication, and you will be the one promoting your brand day in and day out. Passion and enthusiasm for your product will help you build confidence and credibility in your brand, making it easier to attract and retain customers.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.rebhorndesign.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azarimedia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sean_azari/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sean_azari
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanazari/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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